At Convocation, Lofty Goals Stressed

Superintendent's Message To Staff: `Keep Hope Alive'

WEST HARTFORD — The town's faculty kicked off the 2007-08 school year Tuesday as the district's top officials urged staff to help students reach even the loftiest goals.

``Our work is to keep hope alive, keep dreams alive,'' Superintendent David P. Sklarz said at the district's annual convocation -- a ceremony celebrating the start of a new school year.

As is tradition, hundreds of district faculty members packed Conard High School's auditorium, along with a handful of parents and students. The theme of this year's convocation -- ``No dreamer is ever too small ... no dream is ever too big'' -- paid special attention to the changing face of the district. The school system enters the new year with a population that is about two-thirds white and one-third minority.

David G. Carter Sr., chancellor of the Connecticut State University System, encouraged the town's educators to once again bear the burden of educating, molding and inspiring their students.

Carter, along with other speakers, said that where some see challenges created by changing demographics, there is a great opportunity.

``You will always be that beacon for the state of Connecticut,'' he said.

In his address, Sklarz shared memories of his time in first-grade -- in 1952 -- and how his sister and a devoted teacher helped him achieve success as one of nine children in an economically disadvantaged family.

Student speaker Felipe Di Poi, an eighth-grader at Bristow Middle School who entered the town's schools in third grade, told the audience about the impact his teachers have had on his education. Felipe, who came with his family from Argentina and did not speak any English when he entered the district, said his teachers have believed in him and helped him be successful. The South American native speaks Italian and Spanish and also plays the violin and guitar.

As is tradition, Chris Bivona, a Hall High School social worker and the 2006-07 Teacher of the Year, introduced her successor for the new school year -- Wolcott School Library Media Specialist Kathleen Paquette.

Paquette, an educator for 30 years, praised her colleagues and said they all have been given the potential, gifts and talents to touch the lives of their students.